Tipping Your Trainer

This year at the gym I occasionally hired a personal trainer, and I'd like to tip her for the holidays. A workout buddy tells me the going rate is double the cost of a session. Can that possibly be correct? On my budget, that would be a major gift.

Your fitness friend is generous -- the customary gift for staff is usually the cost of one session. Plus, there are other factors: how often you work with her (if regularly, the one-session tip is appropriate; if infrequently, you can give less), what you can realistically afford, and how pleased you are with the trainer's help.